Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 operating system is finally ending support after nearly a decade, and as of today (January 10, 2023), Microsoft will no longer provide software updates, technical support or security patches for the operating system.
Microsoft will release the last security update for Windows 8.1 in a routine update this Tuesday. Windows 8.1 does not get the same Extended Security Updates paid extended security update treatment as Windows 7, so after the last security update is released, Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 8.1. Users can continue to use it, but there will be no more security fixes from Microsoft or anyone else. Since the OS will no longer receive security updates, the system will become more vulnerable to viruses, ransomware, and other security threats.
Meanwhile, Microsoft will also release the last security update for Windows 7 on Tuesday, but commercial companies will continue to provide paid updates after that. 0patch, ACROS Security’s third-party security platform, will support Windows 7 for at least two years, and 0patch is free for personal, non-profit educational and testing use, while businesses will need to pay $25 per year. Windows 7 was released in October 2009, with the mainstream support ending in 2015 and outreach support ending in 2020, before Microsoft went live with ESU, which allows subscriptions to security patches for a fee.
According to Statcounter, as of December 2022, 2.59% of PCs worldwide still run Windows 8.1. If your computer is one of them, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free with your current Windows 8.1 key. The device may not support the upgrade because of the strict system requirements of the operating system.
It is learned that Windows 10 will end support on January 14, 2025.
